Gerard Pique gave a scathing assessment of Barcelona's display after the reigning La Liga champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Sociedad on Sunday and cast doubt on his team's ability to retain the La Liga title unless their performances improve.

A brilliant strike by Lionel Messi cancelled out Willian Jose's opener in the second half at Anoeta but defender Pique said his team were fortunate to leave San Sebastian, where they have not won since 2007, with a point.

Barca slipped a further two points behind Real Madrid following last week's goalless draw with Malaga and are now six behind their arch rivals before next week's 'Clasico' at the Nou Camp.

Gerard Pique gave a scathing assessment of Barcelona's display against Real Sociedad

A brilliant strike by Lionel Messi ensured Barcelona escaped Anoeta with a point

Pique told Movistar Plus: 'It's not often I can say this as a Barca player but we have to be pleased with the draw. Sometimes you can win a game while losing your style of play but when you don't have the right attitude it's more worrying.

'Almost nothing went right for us today. They outdid us in the quality of their play and in attitude.

'We barely existed in the first half and improved a bit in the second but it's difficult to win the league playing like this.'

Real Sociedad striker Juanmi had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside which would have made it 2-1 to the home side, while Carlos Vela hit the post late on and Esteban Granero also missed a glorious chance to win the game.